Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be fuming with lifeguard/safe guarding officer at gym

380 replies

Dinoswearunderpants · 16/07/2023 19:24

I'm beyond livid and just wondering if I should see things from a different point of view.

My DS is 2 and has been taking swimming lessons since 8 weeks old at our local gym.

I take him swimming 2-3 times a week as he loves the water. It's a great activity for him.

He swims without arm bands for a short distance 3-5 meters then holds onto me or the side of the pool.

He loves swimming, extremely confident and understands the safety in the water i.e never goes to the water without an adult, holds onto the side or adult when in the water.

I took him today and was approached by a lifeguard (who also said she's the safe guarding officer) I've never seen before who said she was 'deeply concerned' about him swimming and him drinking too much water.

I explained we take lessons here and he is holding his breath for the 3-5 meters he's swimming. He wasn't coughing or in any distress.

He would jump in from the side, swim to me, I'd hold him an explain he needs to wait a moment (so he can catch his breath) then he'd swim to the side and jump back in. All this done on his own accord and a big smile on his face.

I asked the lady to speak with his swim instructor, who was there at the time. She said she'd spoken to another lifeguard who had concerns.

Both lifeguards don't have kids and are in their early 20s.

I explained what happened to the swim instructor and her words were 'I'm disgusted they said something, I'm so sorry'.

I appreciate not many 2 years can swim however he can as I've always wanted to ensure he's safe in the water.

I think I'm going to raise a complaint as they say no evidence of distress. My son wasn't coughing or anything. He was having a great time as he usually does.

It makes me not want to take him there any more but I'm still tied into a contract with them.

OP posts:
Cucucucu · 17/07/2023 19:30

HaveYouHeardOfARoadAtlas · 17/07/2023 19:19

Yes, and probably a bunch of flowers and maybe six months free gym membership. At the least.

Show quote history

No just a “ I was condescending and should have a fully spoke to the swim instructor as she asked him too “ .
I works as a swim instructor as a young adult and there is no way they are more qualified than a swimming instructor . The training is very basic

WildUnchartedWaters · 17/07/2023 19:33

Cucucucu · 17/07/2023 19:30

No just a “ I was condescending and should have a fully spoke to the swim instructor as she asked him too “ .
I works as a swim instructor as a young adult and there is no way they are more qualified than a swimming instructor . The training is very basic

Show quote history

Yes, but that assuming the swim instructor did agree with her and say she was "disgusted" which can be assumed is total horse shit.

Your post is otherwise not only not factual but irrelevant. They're two separate jobs.

EyeRolling23 · 17/07/2023 19:34

They are literally doing their job. Give them a break.

HaveYouHeardOfARoadAtlas · 17/07/2023 19:44

Cucucucu · 17/07/2023 19:30

No just a “ I was condescending and should have a fully spoke to the swim instructor as she asked him too “ .
I works as a swim instructor as a young adult and there is no way they are more qualified than a swimming instructor . The training is very basic

Show quote history

But how does the life guard know to speak to the swim instructor until they’ve spoken to the OP who says the kid has swimming lessons? They wouldn’t know the kid has swimming lessons would they? Plus if the swimming instructor is there giving a paid for lesson maybe they’re not supposed to interrupt them with random questions? 🤷‍♀️

WildUnchartedWaters · 17/07/2023 19:52

HaveYouHeardOfARoadAtlas · 17/07/2023 19:44

But how does the life guard know to speak to the swim instructor until they’ve spoken to the OP who says the kid has swimming lessons? They wouldn’t know the kid has swimming lessons would they? Plus if the swimming instructor is there giving a paid for lesson maybe they’re not supposed to interrupt them with random questions? 🤷‍♀️

Show quote history

But this was a really crucial, emergency situation where the swim teacher needed to attend immediately.
What could they be doing that was more important?

sumayyah · 17/07/2023 20:31

Be glad that they were on the ball and discussed their concerns with you. You apsolutely want lifeguards that are on the ball and will do everything they can to keep children safe in the pool.

I took my child to a swim school when he was 6. They dismissed me and walked off when I tried to explain about him and I watched from the viewing area as they ignored him while his head was underwater..... Twice ( I was trying to work out how the heck to get poolside)

When I tried to speak to them about it there answer was "council swim lessons have double our ratio, do you want to fill out your paperwork and pay for a block of lessons now?"

KatsuYum · 17/07/2023 20:33

So here we have a fully water safe 2yo. You can see from the prospectus this one is a rare breed. Any takers on 2? Come on now folks. At 2 we have it. Going… going…

AND there’s a late entry with 50m swimming at 3!!! Any more takers? Anyone? Anyone else before it goes to the lady at the back?

Going once…. going twice…

Ifeelsuchafool · 17/07/2023 20:37

I really don't understand why they felt they had to say something and the fact that your child's swimming instructor was annoyed is the real test of whether they were overreacting or not. I don't understand why more people don't start their children swimming as babies, it's the optimum time to teach water safety.
Mine are mostly in their 30s now but they all started swimming as soon as they'd had their jabs and the GP gave the all clear. All three had their 5 metre badges before they were two and swimming 25 metres easily before they started nursery classes. It just makes sense.

sunglassesonthetable · 17/07/2023 20:42

"Life Guard overreacts"

I hope that Life Guard is on duty when my kids are swimming.

WildUnchartedWaters · 17/07/2023 20:43

KatsuYum · 17/07/2023 20:33

So here we have a fully water safe 2yo. You can see from the prospectus this one is a rare breed. Any takers on 2? Come on now folks. At 2 we have it. Going… going…

AND there’s a late entry with 50m swimming at 3!!! Any more takers? Anyone? Anyone else before it goes to the lady at the back?

Going once…. going twice…

My friend drank water throughout her pregnancy and the baby waved its arm around and swam solidly for 9 months, actually

Ozgirl75 · 17/07/2023 20:47

In Australia it’s not unusual at all for a 2 year old to be able to swim like that at 2. Both my boys could do this as they started swimming at a couple of months old (just swooshing them about and dunking them under, songs etc, fun stuff). Neither of mine are particularly amazing swimmers in Aus, but I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have lessons/squads at least once a week since before school age so you just get good by practice, as this child clearly has. Both mine could swim a width of the pool by themselves easily by 3 years old. If this child goes to the pool all the time it’s normal to get good at a thing you do a lot.

rampagingrobot · 17/07/2023 20:48

Lol! Please do complain, and I hope the pool management call the life guards in and complement them on being professional and responsible in a concerning situation despite having a very difficult pool user.

And I'm calling bollocks on the swimming instructor saying that. If they really did then they are being incredibly unprofessional about their colleagues who were doing a good job.

Soapyspuds · 17/07/2023 21:46

And I'm calling bollocks on the swimming instructor saying that. If they really did then they are being incredibly unprofessional about their colleagues who were doing a good job

I believe it. OP is a paying customer for the swimming instructor. Of course they will back up the people that pay their bills.

Soapyspuds · 17/07/2023 21:47

ie the swimming instructor might be self employed rather than an employee at the pool

Hobnobswantshernameback · 17/07/2023 21:57

Well I suppose if you take into account how well the sperm swam my genius baby was actually an Olympic standard swimmer before they were even conceived
Do I win?

Cucucucu · 17/07/2023 22:30

WildUnchartedWaters · 17/07/2023 19:33

Yes, but that assuming the swim instructor did agree with her and say she was "disgusted" which can be assumed is total horse shit.

Your post is otherwise not only not factual but irrelevant. They're two separate jobs.

Show quote history

My post is not irrelevant . Why would a lifeguard have the right to doubt this child mother exactly ? He was stupid and rude and should apologise . The moment he questioned the op the first few seconds and she explained should have been enough , insisting was absolutely not needed . My issue was not the person questioning it , was the persistence .

castlesandsand · 17/07/2023 22:36

I am just hoping that the lifeguard in question (who was probably spoken to like shit) finds this thread & sees the majority are on their side & believes they are doing a decent job.

WildUnchartedWaters · 17/07/2023 22:38

Cucucucu · 17/07/2023 22:30

My post is not irrelevant . Why would a lifeguard have the right to doubt this child mother exactly ? He was stupid and rude and should apologise . The moment he questioned the op the first few seconds and she explained should have been enough , insisting was absolutely not needed . My issue was not the person questioning it , was the persistence .

Show quote history

Absolutely no need to abuse them (you, I mean)

Edda09 · 17/07/2023 22:42

Possibly they’re worried about dry drowning?
“Dry drowning could cause labored breathing and affects a child's airways. This usually happens after swimming or even while bathing, and can occur from simply getting water in the mouth or going underwater and breathing water into the nose.”

Mamanyt · 18/07/2023 00:14

OhSmitty · 16/07/2023 19:42

This must be a fake post surely. Swimming lessons at 8 weeks?? 😂

Dunno about the UK, but infant swimming Iessons have been a thing for just over 40 years here in the US. My younger son started his at 8 weeks, and swam Iike a fish severaI weeks before his brother, who was 14 months oId and started Iessons at the same time, did.

Emz6103 · 18/07/2023 00:14

I agree what a nasty thread this was!! Keep taking him swimming hun again I'd ask what qualifies the lifeguard to approach responsible parents about "safeguarding" THEIR children? Remember it's a public place and their job is to save drowning people not social workers!! Sorry about the unnecessary nasty comments you received from people on here seems like society is devolving xx

theGooHasGone · 18/07/2023 02:47

Emz6103 · 18/07/2023 00:14

I agree what a nasty thread this was!! Keep taking him swimming hun again I'd ask what qualifies the lifeguard to approach responsible parents about "safeguarding" THEIR children? Remember it's a public place and their job is to save drowning people not social workers!! Sorry about the unnecessary nasty comments you received from people on here seems like society is devolving xx

Post some total bollocks to drag the OP back out of the woodwork! Love it, what a strategy!

Emz6103 · 18/07/2023 03:18

Oh be quiet!

GnomeDePlume · 18/07/2023 03:25

Lifeguards (the safeguarding bit is irrelevant) quite often have to approach parents who are being less than perfect in the supervision of their children. Often the parents get cross, mostly out of embarrassment.

Perhaps OP wasn't supervising her infant prodigy as well as she thought she was. Perhaps looking away more than she realised. As a couple PPs have said, drowning is often quiet. The victim doesn't splash or make a fuss. A few seconds of distraction, not realising the child has jumped in and you have a tragedy in the making.

Threenow · 18/07/2023 03:29

You might be "beyond livid" OP, but you are also beyond arrogant.